Oxford City kicked off their league campaign with a brutal defeat away to league-favourites AFC Fylde in the Enterprise National League North.

The Hoops gave themselves a brilliant chance at three points as Tom Scott gave City the lead as McEachran rounded the keeper and pulled it back for the onrushing midfielder.

McEachran double City's lead from point blank range but the hosts scored three goals in thirteen minutes to complete a devastating comeback.

It was an impressive outing from The Hoops who fully deserved at least a point from the game.

First Half

It was an energetic start to the game at a windy Mill Farm. The home side found their rhythm the faster of the two sides in the first fifteen minutes. 

The first chance of the game came from a Fylde corner but George Wilson couldn’t keep his header down and it flew over the bar. 

Bearne had the best chance for City inside the first 25 minutes. The agile winger cut in on his dangerous left foot and tried to bend one into the far corner but couldn’t find the direction. 

The deadlock was broken after 27 minutes as Tom Scott put City in front. McEachran capitalised on an AFC Fylde defensive error. He drove at the backline, went round the goalkeeper and unselfishly laid it off to Scott who had the simplest of finishes.

What a start to the campaign for Manager Ross Jenkins and The Hoops! 

The game went into another gear after the goal as both sides looked to flood men forward. 

City were gifted a glorious chance to double their lead as Issac Westendorf counter attacked down the wing and squared it to Bearne who tried to bend another left footed shot into the far corner but it was agonisingly wide of the post. 

In the closing stages of the first 45, Fylde laid siege to the City goal but The Hoops remained steadfast at the back. 

Half time: AFC Fylde 0 - 1 Oxford City 

Second Half

The second half picked up where the first half left off.

City doubled the advantage with their first chance of the second half. Bearne crossed the ball in and Wiggett met it with his head, the double was bouncing toward the net when McEachran slammed it in to confirm the goal. Fylde will be very disappointed with how they defended the cross. 

Fylde pulled one back swiftly. City’s youngster in goal, Sam Lewis tried his best to tip the looping Utsabasi header over the bar but he couldn’t get a finger to it and the hosts were firmly back into the contest. 

One became two very quickly for The Coasters. Utsabasi got down the byline and pulled it back, it ricocheted off a City defender and left Lewis helpless. City’s two goal lead up in smoke within a matter of minutes. 

The comeback was completed by Danny Mayor who created a yard of space and cut inside onto his right foot and curled one inside the far post. Lewis had no chance to keep that one out. An exceptional finish. 

With fifteen minutes left in the half, Jenkins introduced Campton-Sturridge and Potter as he looked to impact the game from the sideline.

City pushed for a deserved equaliser. Jenkins demanded an increase in the pace of the game and The Hoops obliged.

They created plenty of half chances. DJ Campton-Sturridge fired wide from the edge of the box, McEachran had a shot deflected narrowly missing the post but the equaliser was just out of reach for City.

Full Time: AFC Fylde 3 - 2 Oxford City

Oxford City 

Lewis, Roddy, Ashby, Johnson, Bearne (Campton-Sturridge 75’), Westendorf (Potter 75’), McEachran, Wiggett, Parker, Scott , Burroughs

Unused Subs

Treml, Daniel, McConnell 

Att: 821